In about ten minutes I am leaving to start the first of eight boot camp sessions.
Booty Camp is something a friend is participating in and wanted some company. She is doing eight weeks, I only signed up for a month.
I am kind of regretting signing up, I hate buying workout clothes, I fear being the most unfit in the class, etc, etc. I hope I enjoy it and that it kick starts my activity level, and that I see some progress with it. Has anyone else taken a boot camp style class?
I'll report back if I survive tonight!
I have never tried it but I am curious to hear your opinion of it. It sounds like one of those things that will either work really well or not at all... I can't imagine that there is much middle ground!
Sounds like fun! They run those at my gym, too. I'm considering one that starts in 2 weeks. I'll look forward to hearing about your experience.
I occasionally attend one at my gym that is one of the free classes. The guy that runs it is great, and he's actually involved w/ the military (I think he does recruiting and reserve stuff). I don't really know that it's much like an actual boot camp though. It's more like an intense cardio/strength class. They usually set it up w/ a mat, some dumbells, a weighted bar, and a step. Then we rotate through various exercises (squats and lunges w/ the weights, etc.) and do push-ups or run in between. Sometimes we do ab work or change things up in other ways. It's a great cardio workout since we never really stop moving. I like to use it to supplement my other workouts during the week. I get so tired of doing cardio on the treadmill or elliptical, so it's a good way to try to prevent boredom.
Vanessa
Well I survived my first boot camp session!
The class is big, almost 30 women of various ages and fitness levels. We were measured and weighed at the start, so I am very glad I was the first one there and didn't have to be measured in front of everyone else.
We did things like burpees (HATE), lunges, squats, ab work, etc and finished off with stretching at the end. As far as intensity level, I definitely am feeling it in my body today but I didn't feel like it was too much for me.
There are a few exercises I can barely do even in a modified position- planks and push ups. I have no upper body strength and also learned through the class that I really lack balance! Two things to hopefully improve on during boot camp.
A book and at-home work out dvd are included with the boot camp but I'd rather an extra session to be honest. The book takes a 'food is the enemy' tone that I don't care for. However following their nutritional plan is not required, so I am just concentrating on getting as much out of these sessions as I can.
Next one is Thursday night, we'll see how that goes.
Sounds terrific. Too bad about the tone of the book RE: food, but at least the classes sound really good. I've never done a burpee. Push-ups are the best - great exercise to go to failure on because nothing really happens when you fail - you just meet the ground.
I look forward to hearing more about it!
"What's a burpee?"
You jump with your hands in the air, then crouch down, put your hands on the ground, and kick your feet out behind you (to a push-up position). Then you bring your feet back in, and jump up to repeat.
My Grade 7 and 8 teacher used to make us do them as punishment and I refuse to ever do them again in my life. He specifically liked to use them with the girls in the class, and so that you know that this is no exaggeration he was convicted of sexual harassment (for this and much more) a few years later.
Thanks. We used to call this a squat thrust. I think.
Ok, boot camp session 2 is complete.
I was all over sore for this session and I admit, I could have tried a bit harder but man, did I ever hurt.
Lots of planks, walking planks, push ups and sprints today. Not so much mat and ab work today, and I found the stretching was cut a bit short because we started a few minutes late.
I actually did ten push ups-modified on the knee push ups, but I am still pleased with ten.
I also caused everyone to do 'star jumps' (hands on the ground, crouching, jump up, arms out, back down, repeat) across the whole field. They have this silly boot camp song and the rule is, everyone needs to sing.
I don't sing. I refuse, I am paying money to push my workout, not to sing. So because the instructor caught me tight lipped during our jumping jack/singing time, everyone did these jumps. I believe the intent is that next session I am supposed to feel sorry for everyone else and sing... not in this lifetime.
I'm going to check out the at home workout dvd this weekend and either do that, or go for a run.
Next boot camp is Tuesday!
Sounds like so much fun! I'm glad it's going so well for you. It's great to be sore, isn't it?
Too bad about the singing, though.
You are inspiring me to try something like this!
I think you should try it cnk! I always keep up with your gym posts on Facebook, and they have got me really interested in using a personal trainer at some point.
The boot camp atmosphere is great, but I think I want a little more hard work and instruction and a little less 'girl guide camp' style. I have already sourced out two other boot camps in my area that are co-ed and no songs.
Any tips on starting with a trainer?
I've never worked with a trainer but I've seen many others and Jim has worked with two. He had great success with his first trainer - they ended up becoming friends and working out together as workout partners (no more paying!) which was terrific. The guy he's with now is a bodybuilder - REALLY inspiring and knows his stuff inside and out.
I think it's important to find someone who can inspire you - who practices what they preach - who has achieved something that you can admire with their own body. A trainer should be at the top of their game physically, IMO.
I've seen many people who fall into a trap with a trainer - they get next to no visible results because they spend so much time shooting the breeze with the trainer rather than working out - it becomes like a psychotherapy session rather than a workout. The trainer is really just giving them what they want in some sense - many people don't really want to work hard in the gym and the trainer is sort of an accessory, like a weight belt. But if you can really learn from the person and be continually inspired by them - training can be great!
4 sessions down! I enjoyed Thursday so much that I signed up for the next four weeks. That means I continue boot camp until November 5th. We worked a lot of legs and butt on Thursday and it was finally an activity where I found my stride. The instructor had us doing lots of lunges and lunge walks and she complimented me several times on how great I was doing. What a wonderful confidence boost!
She really challenged us to step up our game, so instead of doing planks on my knees, I pushed and managed some very shaky planks up on my feet. Hopefully that gets easier soon! I've noticed that I feel stronger, as well my arms feel a bit smaller. I have some shirts where the sleeves were formerly tight, now they feel just perfect.
I am also determined to do the at home workout this weekend and go for a walk, otherwise I feel too stagnant between sessions.
Very cool, bellis_coldwine! That's really great that you enjoy it and are getting so much out of it.
Are you watching what you eat as well or just doing the workouts?
The one at my gym is going to interfere with my trip to NYC so I have to wait to sign up. Too bad - it's only $199 for 4 weeks and my fat jeans are TIGHT! I was really upset when I realized yesterday I can't even button the fat jeans and be comfortable. Really not good. But they start boot camps about every month there so I should be able to sign up in October.
Keep us posted on the next 4 weeks - I'm curious how it continues to go!
Your workout sounds intense! It reminds me of what I'm doing right now, except I'm sure yours is longer. I would like to take a Boot Camp class and I wouldn't sing either!
Is the workout video available for purchase or is it something your instructor gives you? Just curious because I'd be interested and I've been doing the 30 Day Shred Workout Video and your workout sounds like it would be a challenge. I haven't done any burpees. (what a weird name..)
I'm doing the 30 Day Shred and I'm going to be doing walking pushups soon when I get to Level 3 next week.(which I will have to modify) Right now I'm on Level 2 and doing Plank jacks, Plank Thrusts, Dumbell flys and Pendulum Lunges and this weird AB exercise done in Plank position. I had a really bad workout today, I think I didn't wait long enough after I ate. My shoulders are really sore. I'm thinking about heading to the gym to work on my legs a little more.
I'm also taking a Nutrition Class and trying to eat better. I think I'm starting to lose weight but I think it's harder to know when I don't own a scale and haven't measured myself. My arms look different and I think my ABS are getting more toned, I'm not sure, but the way the workout feels and the eating better should pay off eventually. I'm looking to be back in a size 8 for my 30th birthday. I'm a size 10 or 12, so it's not too far to go, but it isn't happening as fast as I'd like.
aquamarine - Woohoo! Another fitness person!
I've got to start doing planks, apparently. I've never tried them but they must work. Jim's trainer says that doing planks and some posing exercise he does (no kidding - he poses in the mirror and flexes his abs) are the only way to a 6-pack. Not that I could ever in a million years have a 6-pack!
I've never seen the 30-day shred - do you use weights or just body weight?
(09-29-2009 05:28 PM)catsnotkids Wrote: [ -> ]aquamarine - Woohoo! Another fitness person!
I've got to start doing planks, apparently. I've never tried them but they must work. Jim's trainer says that doing planks and some posing exercise he does (no kidding - he poses in the mirror and flexes his abs) are the only way to a 6-pack. Not that I could ever in a million years have a 6-pack!
I've never seen the 30-day shred - do you use weights or just body weight?
You do use hand weights. I did Level 1 with 5lb handweights and I'm doing Level 2 with 2lb weights. My arms shake because of the planks. They are getting easier, I did end up going to the regular gym today for the first time in months and I think the 30 day Shred is harder than the machines. The machines felt easier, although I just worked out my legs. I also did some modified pushups because I was pissed I couldn't do one of those stomach exercises where you hang and pull your knees up! I used to be able to! I think the 30 Day Shred really works my muscles and I noticed in the mirror today that my abs seem to be getting flatter!
I have been working out for a long time-10 years, but had slacked off to 3 days a week after meeting my DH. Now I'm doing 5 days but am doing the 30 Day Shred which is only 27 minutes. I also bicycle once a week and will be doing that more once summer goes away. FL is really hot still.
Okay, so five weeks into boot camp and I am still loving it. We had a work out in the rain last week, and I determined that push ups in pouring rain is not so much fun.
I had my midpoint measurements taken and was mildly pleased with the results. I lost some inches, appears I gained some muscle, but I am more concerned with performance results.
I am now able to hold a proper plank for a full minute and although I still can't do proper push ups, I am able to do about 15 modified push ups before I just give out. I also notice more definition in my arms/back/shoulders and a overall feeling of strength.
We also tried a bit of yoga during one class and I enjoyed it enough that I am planning on taking a yoga class over the winter.
5 more boot camps to go!